Pentraxin 3 regulates synaptic function by inducing AMPA receptor clustering via ECM remodeling and β1-integrin.

ABSTRACT: Control of synapse number and function in the developing central nervous system is critical to the formation of neural circuits. Astrocytes play a key role in this process by releasing factors that promote the formation of excitatory synapses. Astrocyte-secreted thrombospondins (TSPs) induce the formation of structural synapses, which however remain post-synaptically silent, suggesting that completion of early synaptogenesis may require a two-step mechanism. Here, we show that the humoral innate immune molecule Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is expressed in the developing rodent brain. PTX3 plays a key role in promoting functionally-active CNS synapses, by increasing the surface levels and synaptic clustering of AMPA glutamate receptors. This process involves tumor necrosis factor-induced protein 6 (T

SUBMITTER: Fossati G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6315291 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature